The Huerta Dictatorship

Opposition to Huerta began to emerge once he assumed power.
Venustiano Carranza in Coahuila, Villa in Chihuahua, and Álvaro Obregón
in Sonora formed a front against the dictator under the Plan of
Guadalupe, issued in March 1913. Zapata preferred to maintain his
troops' independence from the northern coalition, but remained in revolt
against Huerta. The latter responded by increasing the size of the
military by forced conscription. Federal forces terrorized the
countryside and looted villages, and political assassinations became a
trademark of Huerta's rule. The country faced other problems. The
federal treasury was empty, and each faction began issuing its own
currency. Huerta's government had not been recognized by the United
States, which considered him a usurper of the previously elected
government. Seeking a return to constitutional rule, the administration
of President Woodrow Wilson channeled aid indirectly to the northern
coalition.

By early 1914, Huerta was clearly losing on all fronts, but there was
one specific event that precipitated his resignation. When United States
sailors were arrested at Veracruz for trespassing on dock facilities,
the commander of the United States naval forces off Tampico demanded
ceremonial salutes of the United States flag by Mexican personnel. When
the United States demands were not met, United States troops occupied
Veracruz. Indignation brought about a series of reprisals against United
States citizens and their flag throughout Mexico. In the face of growing
disorder, Huerta resigned on July 8, 1914.